Vehicle lift



'E. B. THOMPSON VEHICLE LIFT March 25,-.1958

5 Sheets- Sheet 1 Filed Nov. '24. 1954 INVENTOR. ELME/? B. THOMP50N Y rB 2:. zi

' 4 TfO/P/VEK March ,1958 I E. B: THOMPSON 2,827,979

VEHICLE LIFT Filed Nov. 24, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORL WXXM March25, 1958 E. B. THOMPSON 2,827,979

v VEHICLE LIFT Filed Nov. 24. 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet. 5

INVENTOR. ELMER B. THOMPJON 14 TTOPNEK United States PatentO VEHICLELIFT Elmer B. Thompson, Des Moines, Iowa, assignor to Globe floistCompany, Des Moines, Iowa, a corporation of owa This invention relatesgenerally to vehicle lifts or hoists and more particularly to a vehiclelift in which a vehicle is elevated in response to upward movement of apair of lift members arranged on transversely opposite sides of thevehicle.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved vehicle lift.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vehicle lift which issupported on and positioned entirely above a floor surface to eliminatethe requirement for digging a pit for any of the lift parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a vehicle lift whichincludes a pair of upright lift members adapted to be arranged ontransversely opposite sides of the vehicle to be elevated, and astabilizer member extended between the lift members at a position abovethe vehicle for insuring a synchronized up and down movement of the liftmembers.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vehicle lift having avertically movable lift frame in which the structure for moving theframe is incorporated in hicle lift having a vertically movable liftframe of a generally, inverted U-shape, with a fluid reservoir for sup-.

plying the fluid for raising the hoist constituting an integral part ofthe lift frame. 7

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a vehicle lift whichincludes a pair of transversely spaced hydraulic lift members which areconnected at their upper ends by a stabilizer member which constitutesan oil reservoir for usein. elevating the lift'members.

A further object of this invention is to provide a floor mounted vehiclehoist of frame engaging type to provide complete accessibility to theunderside of a vehicle in the elevated position thereof.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a vehicle liftwhich is economical to manufacture and install, simple in construction,and efficient in operation to elevate a vehicle.

Further objects, features, and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from a consideration of Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional viewas seen along the line 5-5 in Fig. 2, with some parts broken away forthe purpose of clarity;

Figs. 6 and 7 are reduced perspective views of the ve- I The; U-shape'lift frame 11 bular leg sections 17 and a tubular stabilizing memberPatented Mar. 25, 1958 ice hicle lift of this invention, illustratingthe manner in which the fluid seal units for the lift are serviced orreplaced, and

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of a modified form of lift of thisinvention, with some parts broken away and other parts shown in sectionfor the purpose of better illustrating the construction of the lift.

With referenceto the drawing, the vehicle lift of this invention,indicated, generally at 10, is illustrated in Fig. 1 asincluding a liftframe 11 of a generally inverted U-shape which carries a pair of spacedvehicle supporting members 12 extended transversely of the lift frame11. The upright tubular leg sections 17 of the frame 11 are guidablysupported for up and down movement on a pair of uprightcylindricalsupports 14 corresponding to the leg sections 17.

Each ,supportmember 14 '(Fig. 2) consists of an up right elongated tubemember 18 closed at its lower end by a transverse plate 21. An elongatedmounting plate 22 parallel to the vehicle supporting members 12 issecured to a plate 21 at the lower end of the supporting member .14 byAllen screws 23 extended upwardly through the mounting plate 22 into theplate 21. A

mounting'plate 22 is in turn secured to the floor surface indicated at'42 in Fig. 2, on which the lift 10 is mounting plates 22; i i

26 which is connected to' and extended between the leg sections 17adjacent the upper ends 27 thereof and constitutes the base section ofthe U-frame 11. t For a purp'ose toappear later, the tubular stabilizermember '26 is filled with aquantity of fluid 28 (Fig. 2) and thusconstitutes a fluid reservoir. 1

The leg sections 17 carry the vehicle supporting memhers-12,corresponding to and arranged betweenthe leg sections 17 at positionsspaced apart a distance to engage the longitudinal frame members 31(Fig. 3) of a vehicle, indicated diagrammatically at 30, arrangedbetween the leg sections-'17.

As best appears in Figs. 1 and 2 a vehicle frame engaging member 12 isconnected to the lower end of the corresponding leg section17'by meansof a rigid supporting unit 32. A supporting unit 32 includes ahorizontal plate 33 welded, as indicated at 34, to the lower end of theleg section 17 and extended inwardly of the lift frame 11. Theoppositeend of the plate 33 is connected, by means of welding 36, to the upperend of an upright plate37, the lower end 38 of which is secured, bywelding '39, to oneend of an elongated supporting plate 41 extendedinwardly of the lift frame 11 I at a position to rest on the floorsurface 42 in the lowered position of the lift 10 illustrated in Fig. 2.

An inclined brace 43, arranged above the platev 41,

is secured at its ends, as by welding 44, to the leg section 17,adjacent the lower end thereof, and an intermediate portionof the plate41. A frame engaging member 12 extends transversely of a plate 41adjacent the inner end 47 thereof, and is secured to the top side of theplate 41 by a pair of Allen screws 46 It is seen, therefore, that thelift frame 11, including As best appears in Fig. 2,- a lift frame legsection 17 islonger and of a slightly greater diameter that} a includesthe upright tu- Corresponding support-- member 14 to thus provide achamber I 51 between- :th-eleg"seetion-17 and the support 14. Thechambers 51 communicate with the fluid reservoir 26 through a fluid line52, open at its ends 53 to, the -chambers 51; extende'dbetween-thelegsections'l'lr A shut-elf valve-54*(Fi'g.- 1) *interposed irr-a: fluidline 1 56 extended betweenthe reservoir 26 and the--line'52';v controlsthe -flow" offluid between: the -reserv-oir -26 andthe-chambers'-51.--

Extended upwardly-from-the-topside 'of the reservoir- 26 is an air lineconnect-ion57" which-communicates; through a line-58, with'-asupplyofcompressed-fair (not shown) Interposed in the -line -58 is-arvalve -59; o fusual type,- whichqis =operable to communicatetheficonnection- 57 with';thesource ofcompressed ai-r and=tocomm-nubcateth'e connection 57' with =atmosphere-through an-ext. haustconnection 60 on val-ve 59 forapurposeato-rnore clearly. appear:hereinafter.

Itgtis seen; therefore; that'on manipulationvoftthe valvei 59 to supplyair under pressure to the reservoir 26, thefluid 28: in the reservoir-istforcedunder pressureithroughthe.=.outletrline 56-;to. theshutotfvalve-54. Oneopening-e of ethe shutofi.:valve=-5.4,1 the-fluid '28: is forcedunder pressure throughxthe. fluid. lines :52zto the -chambers :51.

A closurerplug=6lt(Fig:2).'in--.a:p1ate 62 secured to theupperwendioftazleg. section -17":'so as.to--close the upper end .of.the=;leg:. section:17 is initially-.loosened to bleed--air-:fromaar-chamber 51'sas:fluid-is foreed-tinto :the chaint: 511through thelfluid lines i52ri As .soon-asrfluid appears at theopening-63, .thetplugefligis=tightenedtas it is'sthen apparent; thatralkof Ethfl: airwithimthe chamben 51 has-"been exhausted.

On,- further. admisu'on 10f; flnid: into; thetchambersa-SI, upwardforces are exerted on the plates;.621-.bythee-fluid. under Pressure in;the .;-ch.ambers :51; The. lifliflfameell is thusseleatedicmthezsupports l4: whictmguidablyasup.- l P 13;z h a l'all fii li llingal hfiMPWaItLIIlDYementiflIereflf.

For: facilitating the vertical travel. ofx-each leg. section.

17 tonqits corresponding-isupport 114,1each.-leg.;seetion-.17'r carries.therein zzbiea-ring assemblymvcage :64; (Figs. 2,; nd: which' movesiuptandfiown 11 ;the;.,corresponding support 14.

Asgbest .appsarsdnaliigt 4 a;bearinggas.semblyi orercage 4 cnsistst f.aezp i r tz vertically pawdjcaring ringsr 66 S 0I1I1 t yi c iest fspaced longat d st p. meme bers 67 having o twardh'n: xtendedilowerzendzaportionsg 68... Secured-rte ands endeds bcuh he tra members; 67, atpositions intermediate the ends o f hegbearinggs- 6, are; atipair f:nnular: spa e: ingge 69;..o'f :a diameter. tosfit wi hin-1a; legsectiona .1 t,

Asbc ringag ;64eis .m int n d, tA ZP SifiQBIi i'ZhijBQ ectioni1.74, wi hthe.-horizontal;. nd: porti n 8; 0 hump memb rs: 67 gainst. he: low rrndfllmt he; se io t-r l n. rm e a n r. ing 7 (Figs; d= e nr d,,. as by;weldingflfij-tq tring 4r ecurer z to and;r extended about -the,=1ower;en d of thelegsection l7, at a position-b low the: at achment ofthe: plateiaa t in a.suppprtingunit3Z-.to.r he.l g c ion;17t-.

As es ppearsim-Eig the retainer-r ng 72.- s. pre edtwith peripherallyspaced cutout portions or open; ings 77 on its inner surface 78; withthgisizetand na f: e. penin s .7 orr ponding to; the size, and shape.of, the; outwardly,- extendcdo pprli us; 6th at the lower ends.ofthestrap members 67. The portions 79 o fthe,retainer;ring 72.; between theopenings7f7 like; wise. correspondrin: size ndzshaper o hetrap p rtions68 and are provided with horizontalyslots 81;;of 335116 to receive thestrapgp ortions,685-t11erein. By; vir tu e-;oj thi construction of; theretainer; ringflliwith; heepen:- ings? 77 audible-slots} 81, the-.bearin cage 65;:1S5ICQQHY; mov le a c: e: e: ection; 1 through the;lower; pen. nd; 71;. her of, in. manner: to: b more y: describedhereinafter.

Arranged; below the bearing cage 64,-. and) aboutrthe P11 1 n. 31 0161:fluidzlsealsor packing assembly 75 U 82 which includes a compressiblepacking member 83 anda-spri-ng-retaining-ring--84;- As'bes-t-appears-in-Fig.-2, the packing member 83 is arranged against theunder side of the retainer ring 72, with a portion 86 of the packing 83extended upwardly about the support 14 to a position adjacent the lowerone of the bearing rings 66. The spring ring 84 (l igshl and 5) extendsabout the portion 86 of the packing 83 ,to hold the portion 86 in fluidtight engagement withthe support 14. An annuri! ring; 7 a sapcsi icncdagains e underside; of; that packing,. 83 and ;is secured toth'eiretainer ring 72-11biy bolts 88 for holding the packing assembly 82in position t-thersupport 44-.

It isseen, therefore, that a packing assembly 82'is movable with a framele'gr section..17::in=a fluid tight relation with the correspondingsupport 14, to thereby prevent any leakage of fluid from the chamber 51in the leg 1? downwardly about the support 14,1,

Inthe'operationofthe-hoist 19, a yehicle to be elevatedis driven toaposition between the lift frjarne leg sections 17; such that thevehicle mainframe side mem; bers*31-*(Fig':'3) are positioned'above. theframe engag ing members 12 carried by,the lift' frame 11. During travelofithewehiclebetween the leg sections 17," th e vehicle wheels 91 travelover intermediate. portigns 92 of the supporting :plates 41*for themembers 1 2, between the memberslz' and thebraces,,431 The lift 10 thusop; crates as a frameengaging type of vehicle hpist, in s mannerdescribed in detail in'my prior PatentNo: 2,593; 630? It is---apparentthat;in---the-various. vehicles now in use, the side frame-members 31"therefor are not unii'. formly spaced; and-ifo'radapting the'lift' '10"of all of 'such' vehicles, adaptor-membersof the type shown in my priorPatentNok- 2;612,344-= may be provided for the, memb'ers-.12:=

With the vehicle side frame members 31arranged' above theframe-engaging-membery 12; the valvew59jin therein-line '58 is"manipulated to; supply compress ed airtto the fluid-reservoir 26.- Thefluid shut-'oif valve' 54 is opened, by manipulation of=a -1ever93(Eig.' 1); to supply fluid to thech'am-bers' 5-1 in--theleg section s;17* fromzthereservoir 27.

As :shown in -Fig.- 1, the lever 93 is -mounted-on an up:righLrsquare-shaft-M rotatably carried in-and extended upwardly from anupright tube 96* supportedon a plate; 97 secured to the adjacentsupporting-plate"22 Adjacent; its upper; end 98;=the shaft 94-isextended through an over 'sized openingewlinna: guide arm 101 3connected toand extended; outwardly "from =a-leg-section -17 A \link-102 connected ateonmof 'itsvends to'the upper end-- 98* of the:shaftn94; isiiconnected iat :103, at its opposite end to onetend 10faslonger lir kulMs. 'The oppositeend of -the 1i nk 104 is;in-rturn-iconnected to ta: linlc- 106 'which' isconnected to thevalveii54."for:opening-and closing=the valye 5 ja V I l Sr-rmanipulation otlwthe lever 93; which -is arranged adiaccnt the;.upperendtlfliv'ofethe tube-96:at a" convenient elevation for manual operationby thelift OPEIZEIIOQQ'IO rotategthe, shaft 94, the: link: 106- isoscillatedto opengorycloseltther:valwet 54:; Qn tupwardmovement of.thIQQ-ILftrframeeII; thesshaft -94 tmoves-upwardly=-inthe support tube96, andithroughgthedeven93; which-remaingatr heeuppenend-i107tof thetube-96r- On supply of fluid under pressure to the chambers-5lgequalnpwtardsforees are-exertedby suclr -fluid on the plates 62 attheruppenends ofithe leg sections 17?. to thus-move; the leg;sectionsnflmpward-ly-on-the upright supports 14. The;rigid:connection-of the-combi-nationreseryoir and stabilizer members 26between=.the-leg sections 17 assures; acoordinatedioe-synchronized;upward'movement of the. leg sectionfs li'on-the-upright-supports 14;

The bearing cages 64 moveupwardly With the legs 17, andtprovide forasmooth-upward movement of 'the" legs 17 on the supports 14. Thepacking'assembli es 82.;

:- also-move 1 upwardly --on--the-upright supports 14-' and 'act toprevent any leakage of fluid from "the chambers 51'- downwardly on thesupport 14.

The lift framell is locked in a raised or partially raised position bymanipulation of the lever 93 to close the fluid supply valve 54 whichacts to hold the fluid in the chambers 51 and prevent any downwardmovement of the lift frame 11 on the supports 14.

The lift frame 11 is lowered merely by manipulation of the valve 59 inthe air line 58 to communicate the reservoir 26 with the exhaust outlet60 on the valve 59. The weight of the lift frame 11 forces fluid fromthe chambers 51 into the reservoir 26, with this fluid displacing air inthe reservoir 26 to force the air through the exhaustoutlet 60 on thevalve 59.

It is seen, therefore, that in the operation of the lift 10, the legsections 17 of the lift frame 11 constitute cylinders which move up anddown on the supports 14 which thus function as pistons to force thefluid out of the cylinders 17 during lowering of the lift frame. Eachcylinder 17 carries a vehicle frame engaging member 12 and thusconstitutes a lift member for raising a frame engaging member 12, witheach liftmember 17 coacting with a piston 14 to function as the liftunit.

In the event a packing unit 82 requires repair or replacement, the liftframe 11 is raised slightly (Fig. 6) and then lowered so that the frameengaging members 12 are supported on wooden blocks. 108 (only one ofwhich is shown) or the like. ,The bolts 24 which secure a mounting plate22 to the floor surface 42 are then removed for a purpose to appearpresently.

The plug 61 in the upper end of the corresponding cylinder 17 is removedand a threaded rod 109 (Fig. 6) having a laterally extended handle 111at its upper end is extended loosely through the opening 63 for the plug61 and threaded into a nut 112 secured to the upper end of the piston14. A second nut 113, provided with a handle 114 is threaded onto therod 109 into engagement with the upper end of the cylinder 17 at aposition about the opening 63. On manipulation of the handle 114 tofurther advance the nut 113 on the rod 189, the piston 14 and themounting plate 22 therefor, are moved upwardly off the floor surface 42(Fig. 7). Upward movement of the piston 14 in the cylinder 17 iscontinued until the plate 22 has been raised a distance off the floorsurface 42 to provide access to the screws 23 (Fig. 2) which secure theplate 22 to the piston 14, as shown in Fig. 7.

The screws 23 and the plate 22 are then removed from the piston 14 topermit movement of the annular packing unit 82 E the lower end of thepiston 14. The screws 88 which hold the packing unit 82 and the retainerring 87 therefor on the bearing cage retainer ring 72 are then removedalong with an Allen screw 116 (Figs. 2 and 5) which is threaded into theretainer ring 72 and extends into a drilled hole 117 (Fig. 5) in one ofthe bearing strap portions 68. In the assembled position of the bearingcage 64, and the retainer ring 72 therefor (Fig. 2), which is secured tothe cylinder 17, the screw 116 maintains the bearing cage 64 against anyrotational movement relative to the cylinder 17.

After removal of the screws 88 and 116, the packing unit 82 is readilymoved downwardly off the lower end of the piston 14.

To repair or replace a bearing cage 64, the lift frame 11 is initiallysupported on blocks, similar to the blocks 188 (Figs. 6 and 7), of alength longer than a bearing cage 64. After removal of the packing unit82 corresponding to the cage 64 to be removed, the cage 64 is rotated inthe cylinder 17, by manually grasping the cage 64 at the lower endthereof. The cage 64 is rotated until the laterally extended strapportions 68 at the lower end thereof are vertically aligned with theopenings 77 in the retainer ring 72. The cage 64 is then readily moveddownwardly off the lower end of the piston 14, with the 6"strap'portions 68 moving through the openings 77 in the ring 72.

On re-assembly of the cage64 with the piston 14 and the cylinder 17, thecage 64 is moved upwardly on the piston 14, with the strap portions 68aligned with the openings 77 in a retainer ring 72. When the cage 64 hasbeen movedto a position inwhich the strap portions 68 are against thelower end 71 of the cylinder 17, the cage 64 is manually rotated toposition the portions 68 in the slots 81 in the ring '72. After assemblyof the packing unit 82 on the piston 14, the screw 116 is extendedthrough the retainer ring 72 into the opening 117 in one of the bearingstrap portions 68 to again maintain the cage 64 against rotationrelative to the cylinder It is seen, therefore, thata bearing cage 64and a packingunit 82 are constructed and assembled on the cylinder-17 soas to be readily removable therefrom. As a result, the lift frame 11 hasthe enclosed parts thereof readily accessible for servicing purposes.

Themodified lift 10a shown in Fig. 8 is similar to the lift 10 exceptfor the type of power utilized in raising the lift frame 11a. Likenumerals having the suffix a are applied, therefore, to the lift 10a todesignate like structurein the lift 10.

The lift frame 11a is raised by mechanical structure operated by areversible electric motor 121, in contrast to the hydraulic operationdescribed above for the lift 10, and operates, like the lift 10, toraise a vehicle, indicated diagrammatically at 110, by engaging theframe members 31a thereof. Accordingly, the combination stabilizer andfluid reservoir 26 in the lift 10 is replaced in the lift 10a by ahollow stabilizer member 122, extended across the upper ends of the liftcylinders 17a, and having an extended end portion 123 which carries themotor 121. A sprocket chain 124, arranged within the stabilizer 122 anddriven by the motor 121, in turn drives a second chain 126 arranged in adriving relation with the upper ends of a pair of shafts 127 arrangedwithin the cylinders 17a.

A shaft 127 is supported in and secured to a thrust bearing 128 mountedin the upper end plate 62a of a cylinder 17a, and extends downwardlyinto the piston 14a. The shaft 127 is threadably mounted in a nut 129secured to the top plate 19a for a piston 14a so that on rotation of theshaft 127, the shaft is moved up and down relative to the piston 14a. Asa result, the thrust bearings 128 and cylinders 17a are moved up anddown with the shafts 127 to thus move the lift frame 11a up and down onthe pistons 14a.

It is seen, therefore, that on operation of the motor 12 to rotate theshafts 127, by means of the sprocket chains 124 and 126, the lift frame11a is moved relative to the pistons 14a. On rotation of the shafts 127in one directron, the lift frame 11a is raised and on rotation of theshafts 127 in the opposite direction, the lift frame 11a is lowered,with the stabilizer 122 acting to insure a coordinated up and downmovement of the cylinders 17a for the lift frame 11a. Since thestabilizer 122 carries the motor 121 and the chains 124 and 126 fordriving the shafts 127, the stabilizer 122 also constitutes a housingand support for the power means utilized in moving the lift frame 11a.

From the above description, it is seen that this invention provides ahydraulic hoist 10 and a mechanical hoist 10a, with both of the hoists10 and 10a being supported entirely above the floor surface 42. As aresult, the hoists 10 and 10a are readily and inexpensively installed inpractically any location. The stabilizer members 26 and 122 for thehoists 10 and 10a, respectively, provide for a coordinated up and downmovement of the lift members for the hoists in addition to functioningas the power means for operating the hoists. By virtue of thisconstruction, the hoists 10 and 10a can be produced with 7:; a mini-mumnunrber of pantszwhighitake up anm inimums amount of space wheninstalled.

Al-thoughzthev invention has been described withi-res-peot toseveralcembodi-rnents thereof; it to bet-understood;

that? is :not -to besso limited, since changes canrbe madeathereiniwhichrare wit-hin ;.the fullcintended scopelofthis inventionasdefined-by the appended claims.-

1.; For. ruse..- in; elevating a-.vehicle above :a-.;fioor.1 surfacea,.- vehicle. hoistncomprising La zpain-tofrupright :floor 10 supported-pistonrrnembers, upright cylinder members corresponding to, said pistonmembers and, movable.=up and downarelative ;.thereto, means -.ineludinga;-,fiuid -reservoir member iconnected tov and {extended betweensaid-cylim der members adjacent the upper ends thereof, means car-.

riedgbywsaid;cylinders fen engaging ..a,.vehiclerto. be elevatedgand;means ioperativelysassoeiated with? said reiservoir, means for,supplying fiuid underpressure to said cyl-l indeig members l-to raise.,the cylinders .onlsaidi pistons-c 2. A vehicle lift ,comprisinga-pairofHspaced-iuprighthydraulic cylinderassemblies,.with eachassemblys-includinga piston member; and acylinder membenandwith one ofsaid members being mounted fornupsand down movement; relat ive to theother ofrsaid members; means scarried by said assemblies for engagingand elevatinga -vehicle arranged between-saidassemblies,aEcombinatiQmfiuid reservoir, and stabilizerconnected to. and zextendedbe tween; said assemblies ,adjacent thefiupper ends thereof,

said reservoir' beingin fluid communication with said assemblies, andmeans for forcing fluidunder pressure from said reservoir to saidassemblies :for operating said assemblies to: raise said vehicleengaging means.

3.1 Forrusevin elevatinga vehicle above a floor surface,

a pair ofuprightspaced piston members supported-attheir lower ends onsaid floorsurfa'ce, an inverted -U-shape 1ift= frame havingetubularleg-sections received on said piston memberswinka fluid-tight relationtherewith,- and a-tubular basesection eXtended betWeen-said, legsections,-fluid insaid basesction, meansforming-fluid receivingchambersiin said leg sectionsabove=said pistons,- means for selectively.communicating-thefluidin-said base section-- With said chambers,means-for selectively applying pressure .to the fiuidsinysaidbasesection, and-means carriedby and arranged-between saidleg-sections-for-engaging a vehicle tqbe elevated-$- References'Cited-inthe file of--'this patent- UN TED TAT S ATEN .1

